We aim to produce excellent beef cattle and genetics so our customers can prosper with increased yields, breeding ease and longevity. Our goal is to develop a genetically superior core herd pairing these individually with exciting new genetics as well as reintroducing proven genetics that express desirable genotypic and phenotypic traits.
We aim to use advanced techniques such as In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), Embryo Flushing, Live or Frozen Embryo Transfer (ET) and Artificial Insemination (AI) to advance our core herd using specially selected local and imported genetic material.
Phenotypically, we select for desirable physical traits such as foot and leg structure, length, depth, softness, early growth, docility, fertility and carcass quality. We use and study EBV data and breed databases to optimise our matings and constantly improve these phenotypic traits in our core breeders.
Genotypically, we research and select for known genetic markers shown to improve these phenotypic traits in beef cattle. We can tailor this to the needs of our customers and in turn contribute to the advancement of the Speckle Park breed as a whole.
We select against red coat colour and horn gene carriers but are neutral and inclusive when it comes to myostatin carriers and black coat colour.
We select favourably for Leptin T, PMCH A, IGF2 C and CRH G alleles and our entire herd is screened for these markers in addition to the standard genetic testing required by the breed society.
In late 2020 we purchased 16 heifers and 1 cow from a variety of stud breeders in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. This core group was specifically selected to incorporate a wide variety of available Speckle Park genetics at the time. Their pedigrees included many of the great sires of the breed including; Stands Alone, Walker, Lacerta, Caja Zepelin and Putnam. They also included some of the great females of the breed including Teeka, Reeba, Lightning Lady and Gracelands. To date we’ve retained 14 of the original group and have grown our core breeding herd to 40 head.
Over the last 4 years we’ve used a number of AI sires either locally sourced or imported from Canda and New Zealand. These AI sires were specifically selected to add targeted physical characteristics and specific genetic markers to our females and in turn produce superior bulls and frozen genetics for sale. The following bulls have all played their own part in our program so far;
MTRS 22D “Dangit Matters”: Dangit Matters straws were cheap and highly available when we first started out in 2020. He was a known leptin TT homozygote and was highly suitable over heifers producing nice low birth weight calves. We started out with 16 heifers and he was a safe option for first calvers and added leptin T alleles to our genetic pool so we used in our first year. We’ve retianed 2 of his daughters in our core breeding herd.
AST M57 “Gin Gin Manitoba”: Manitoba was first suggested to us by Amy Dickens at JAD Speckle Park back in 2020. In our first year we were looking for bulls with specific traits that we could use over our heifers and in Manitoba’s case it was his sound feet and legs. Our properties are steep and sound feet are essential to cope with challenging terrain and perform herd sire duties without breaking down. We haven’t retained any of our Manitoba matings.
BED 54Z “River Hill Line Drive”: Line Drive was another bull suggested by Amy Dickens at JAD in our first year. From the well known line of “Walker” and “Traffic Jam” with superior milk scores. Line Drive was Grand Champion Bull at Canada’s “Farmfair International” and the “Lloydminster Stockade” as well as Reserve Champion bull at “Agribition” in 2012 and 2013. JAD used him extensively in their early programme and he brings carcass, structure and sound maternal traits. We’ve retained 2 of his daughters in our core breeding herd.
BED 60W “River Hill Walker”: We were lucky to get a few Walker straws in mixed pack purchased at auction in 2020 from Doctors Creek Speckle Park. Walker is Line Drive’s sire and was Reserve Grand Champion at Canada’s “Agribition” in 2009. His mother 60S was awarded Grand Champion Female in the same year. Walker brings old school star quality with elite EBVs, moderate birth weight and structure. We’ve retained 2 of his daughters in our core breeding herd.
JMG 444E “Notta Hawkeye”: We’ve purchased Hawkeye straws twice from Roz Alexander at Hidden Valley Beef. Hawkeye was Agribition and Farmfair Champion in 2019 and voted champion of North America in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and Champion of the World in 2018 and 2019. Hawkeye brings structure, moderate birth rate and rapid early growth to our herd. We’ve used him with a few of our cows and retained 4 of his daughters in our core breeding herd.
JMG 309C “Notta Cause ‘n Effect”: Cause ‘n Effect was another bull we decided to use back in 2020 and purchased straws from Panorama Farms twice. Cause ‘n Effect is a Myostatin gene free Six Star Royal Flesh grandson who brings solid growth and excellent scrotal circumference EBVs to the herd. We’ve retained 2 of his daughters in our core breeding herd.
MAU N263 “Maungahina Northern Star”: We spoke with Mark McKenzie from Maungahina stud in New Zealand back in 2022. Northern Star was highly recommended to both increase genetic diversity and add beneficial traits to our herd. Northern Star has excellent rib and rump fat scores as well as high intramuscular fat (IMF) which increases marbling and improves carcass in his progeny. We’ve retained 4 of his daughters in our core breeding herd.
To be continued…
, DAM Dots Electric, JSF Unmarked, Maungahina Premier, Moovin Spotz Dart and Mt Barr Eddie the Eagle.
We have teamed these up with own home bred bulls The Spaniard, Super Fly, Jim Slade, Shadow Beyond and currently King Tut, Truth or Consequences and U Grant. As we move forward these bulls will move on to new homes and be replaced by the best of future generations.
